Dr. Rice is a leader in the development of targeted delivery systems for gene transfer to the liver. His R01-funded research developed a high-affinity triantennary N-glycan attached to the PEG-peptide to trigger hepatocytic endocytosis of nanoparticles via the asialoglycoprotein receptor. His group also focuses on developing nanoparticles that target somatostatin receptor-expressing cells in the periphery. As this receptor is expressed on exocrine acinar cells of the pancreas, it represents unique opportunities for gene therapy of CFRD in the CF ferret and pig models. In addition, the PEG-peptides spontaneously package plasmid DNA into stable nanoparticles that can be combined with any matrix and used to transfect cells in vivo when delivered locally. Since most of studies aim to transfect the liver hepatocytes in vivo they have relevance to the cystic fibrosis disease state which often involves misfunction of liver hepatocytes.